A Step Closer

The streets of Igualada buzzed with excitement.

It had been two days since CF Igualada's 2-1 victory against Vilanova, and the town was still talking about it. Football debates filled cafes, kids replayed the game in the streets, and newspaper headlines praised Daniel's decisive performance.

But today, football wasn't Daniel's main focus.

He was sitting across from Sofia.

The small café near the Plaça de la Creu was cozy, filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the wooden tables.

Sofia stirred her cappuccino absentmindedly. "So, you're famous now?"

Daniel smirked. "Not yet."

She raised an eyebrow. "Two goals in a big tournament match? People were talking about you at school."

Daniel leaned back. "I didn't hear anything."

"That's because you were too busy being congratulated," she teased.

He chuckled, shaking his head. It was nice—this moment of normalcy.

No football drills, no mysterious enemies, no time-perception powers messing with his head.

Just him and Sofia.

"So," Daniel said, "you've been playing less for Igualada lately."

Sofia nodded. "Yeah. I got promoted to the under-19s."

Daniel grinned. "That's huge."

She sipped her coffee. "It is. But it's also... a lot. Training's harder, and I don't get to see the team as much."

Daniel understood. His own promotion was coming soon, and he knew things would change.

"You still thinking about playing professionally?" he asked.

She hesitated, then smiled. "Yeah. It's my dream."

"Then you'll make it," he said without hesitation.

She met his eyes. "You really think so?"

"I know so."

She laughed. "What about you, future Haaland?"

Daniel smirked. "I'd settle for being half as good as Haaland."

Sofia rolled her eyes. "You're being modest."

There was a moment of silence between them, comfortable but heavy.

Sofia looked at him, like she wanted to say something.

Daniel felt it too—like something was unspoken.

Before either of them could break the silence, his phone buzzed.

A message from Coach Morales.

"Meet me at the training ground. We need to talk."

Daniel frowned. That didn't sound like a normal meeting.

Sofia noticed his expression. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," he said, though he wasn't sure.

He glanced at her.

This moment between them—it wasn't over yet.

"I'll see you soon?" he asked.

Sofia smiled. "Of course."

The CF Igualada training ground was quiet when Daniel arrived.

Morales was waiting near the goalposts, arms crossed. His face was unreadable.

Daniel jogged over. "What's up, Coach?"

Morales didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he studied Daniel like he was deciding how much to say.

Finally, he spoke.

"You've been playing great, Carter."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Thanks?"

Morales exhaled. "But that's not why I called you here."

Daniel tensed.

Morales lowered his voice. "You ever get the feeling that someone's watching you?"

A chill ran down Daniel's spine.

That was the last thing he expected Morales to say.

"Why?" Daniel asked carefully.

Morales hesitated, then reached into his jacket and pulled out a photo.

It was an old team photo of CF Igualada's coaching staff.

Daniel didn't recognize most of them—except for one face.

A face that should have been dead.

The leader of the organization.

He was alive.

Daniel's grip on the photo tightened. "Where did you get this?"

Morales frowned. "It was left in my office. No note, nothing."

Daniel's heart pounded.

This wasn't over.

The people hunting him weren't gone.

And they were watching.

Back to School

The next morning at Academia Igualada, Daniel tried to act normal.

But his mind was racing.

If the organization's leader was alive, that meant they were still after him. But why? What did they want?

He sat in his seat, barely listening as the teacher explained a math problem.

Next to him, Sofia noticed. "You okay?"

Daniel blinked. "Yeah. Just tired."

She didn't look convinced, but before she could push, the bell rang.

During lunch break, Daniel stepped outside to get some air.

The school courtyard was buzzing with students, but something felt... off.

Then, he saw him.

A man in a dark coat, standing near the entrance.

Watching him.

Daniel's chest tightened. He took a step forward—

But the man turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Who was he?

And why did he look so familiar?

That evening, Daniel was still on edge when he arrived at CF Igualada's training session.

He was expecting another grueling practice.

Instead, Morales gathered the team.

"We've got news," Morales said. "After this tournament, some of you will be moving up."

The players murmured in excitement.

Morales looked at Daniel. "Carter. Miguel. Luis. You're on the list."

Daniel's breath caught.

He was being promoted.

It should have been a moment of celebration.

But with everything happening—the photo, the mysterious man, the feeling of being watched—

Something didn't feel right.

Later that night, Daniel sat in his room, staring at the photo Morales had given him.

The leader was alive.

The organization wasn't finished.

And now, they were watching him.

His football career was taking off. His bond with Sofia was growing.

But the danger?

It was just beginning.